Verdicts & Settlements

Employment & Labor

Gary Adams, Esq. and Andrew Watson, Esq. recently concluded a labor arbitration resulting in over $700,000 in back wages paid to Trane Employees on behalf of IUE/CWA Local 81455. After multiple hearing dates, before a duly appointed and authorized arbitrator, an Arbitration Award was entered in favor of Union and against Employer.

(February 5, 2009) – In a landmark decision issued today, the New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously held that the Lawrence Township sign ordinance violated Mr. DeAngelo’s First Amendment right to free speech and is unconstitutional. At issue was IBEW Local 269’s use of a 10-foot tall rat balloon during a labor protest at a Gold’s Gym in Lawrence Township. The police cited a Local 269 business agent, Wayne DeAngelo, under the ordinance and the Union fought the citation asserting that the law unconstitutionally infringed the fundamental right of free expression. The Union tenaciously fought the case to the state’s highest court, which validated the Union’s right to display the inflatable rat balloon and directed that the summons issued against Mr. DeAngelo be dismissed. Local 269’s attorney, Andrew L. Watson from the firm of Pellettieri, Rabstein & Altman said: “Unions and their members have a long history and tradition of exercising the right of free speech and they have developed orderly and non-threatening means of protest and expression. This decision vindicates the rights of Unions and all of New Jersey’s citizens to peacefully and effectively express themselves.”

In late January 2008, a labor union's inflatable rat marched its way to the New Jersey Supreme Court. On behalf of Wayne DeAngelo, a senior official with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 269, Pellettieri, Rabstein & Altman filed appeal papers in the New Jersey Supreme Court after Mr. DeAngelo was cited in Lawrence Township for violating a sign ordinance when IBEW 269's inflatable rat balloon was displayed during a labor protest. At the core of the case is the argument that the sign ordinance violated Mr. DeAngelo's constitutionally protected fundamental right of free speech.

Mr. DeAngelo's counsel, Andrew Watson, a senior associate with the firm said: "Unions have a long history and tradition of peacefully and effectively expressing themselves and we want to ensure that their communication is not stifled merely because they chose to use the rat balloon to convey their message of solidarity, unity and loyalty." Mr. Watson and PR&A partner Ira C. Miller represent IBEW Local 269 and other unions as part of the labor law department at PR&A"

When a major utility company failed to meet journeyman-to-apprentice ratios and to designate and pay contracted electricians as journeymen, our labor & employee attorneys stepped in to file suit on their behalf. These laws are well known and clear, especially to such a substantial employer. We fought and won the maximum possible.

When fines were levied on skilled maintenance employees in the Hamilton Township teachers strike for not crossing the picket line, our Labor & Employment attorneys convinced the court to reverse those fines.

Frustrated, overwhelmed and physically ailing from an assignment for which she was neither trained nor hired, a Teacher’s Aide and mother of 2 young children emphatically requested a transfer. The request was denied. During the summer, the Teacher’s Aide found out she had terminal cancer – and only a few months to live. Also during the summer, the school decided that her transfer request was an ultimatum amounting to her resignation. She never actually resigned, the school never told her she was terminated, and the school never offered her termination benefits. Shortly after her death, the family filed an employee life insurance claim, which was denied. The family was shocked that she had been terminated and allegedly had resigned. When the school refused to budge, the family called us. Our attorneys won complete claim reversal and her children now have a college fund.

Since 1929, at the very beginning of America’s labor union movement, Pellettieri, Rabstein & Altman attorneys have represented New Jersey workers. Currently, the law firm represents more than 25 labor unions, trade councils, and locals.